ZACC Recovers Over US$39 Million, Refers US$217 Million in Corruption Cases as It Plans New Strategy
- Southerton Business Times
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it has recovered and forfeited assets worth more than US$39 million since 2019 and referred corruption cases valued at approximately US$217 million to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), marking a major enforcement milestone for the agency.
ZACC chairperson Michael Reza announced the figures at a strategic planning workshop in Nyanga, where the commission is developing its 2026–2030 National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS2). The update follows an independent review showing that ZACC achieved a 61 percent implementation rate of the first national strategy.
“I commend the Asset Recovery and Forfeiture Unit for the successful forfeiture of assets worth almost US$21 million, seizure of US$17 million, freezing of bank accounts holding close to US$1 million, and the referral of case files worth a staggering US$217 million to the NPA,” Reza said. “This is money being recovered for the people of Zimbabwe and a clear message to the corrupt that ill-gotten wealth is not theirs.”
Reza added that ZACC’s conviction rate has remained between 71 and 74 percent over the past five years, crediting stronger collaboration with prosecutors, police and the judiciary. He said the next strategy will shift focus from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention, embedding transparency, monitoring and evaluation into ZACC’s daily operations. “We must transform from being a reactive institution that the public only hears about during arrests, to one whose prevention work, visibility and accountability are equally strong,” he said.
Dr Osbon Matunja, chair of ZACC’s Risk Committee, said the workshop is assessing the first strategy’s outcomes and shaping a more targeted framework. “When one does not plan or evaluate their work, that organisation moves in the wilderness,” he said. Representatives from the Office of the President and Cabinet, NPA, ZRP, the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Services Commission, and the Financial Intelligence Unit attended the meeting.
ZACC said the new five-year plan will include measurable targets to cut corruption risks, strengthen asset recovery and improve restitution of stolen assets to the state. The finalised NACS2 strategy will be made public once endorsed.
“This is money being recovered for the people of Zimbabwe and a clear message to the corrupt that ill-gotten wealth is not theirs.” — Michael Reza, ZACC chairperson